Treatment Delayed! Numbers are low!

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday I was supposed to start Treatment but my numbers were to low. Specifically, my platelets were not high enough for me to start treatment. So, we are going to delay 1 week and try again next Monday.

The silver lining in all this is that I got to watch Scotty's 1st baseball game and unlike the Tigers they won 11-10.

Unfortunately, I have to get a bone marrow biopsy today to get data as to why the platelets are not bouncing back. The biopsy will also show if the treatments are reducing the disease in the marrow. Please, pray that the disease is being reduced!

We are still waiting for all of your donor registrations to be put into the database, so I can find a match. Patience is what I am learning in all of this.

It is Craig's birthday today! He is 13 years old!

Thanks for checking in,

Gary

Wow! Everyone Showed Up to the Donor Drive

Hello Everyone,

What a Great Success the Bone Marrow Drive was yesterday! If it wasn't for the leadership of Karen Welch, the support of all the volunteers, and the great response from the community we would not have had over 400 new Bone Marrow Registry's from this one drive.

Applause for Everyone!

So, in the next 4 to 6 weeks when you get called to donate for a 41 yr. old, male, married with 3 kids, you might be the miracle we are looking for. :)

Seriously, it was heart warming seeing so many friends and family support me and the other people in need.

We are very over whelmed and grateful for every one's support.

Thank You!

Gary & Tammy

Donor Drive for ME!!

Our friends have organized a marrow donor drive in my honor.

Sunday May 18th
2-5pm
St James Catholic Church
46325 10 Mile Road Between Taft & Beck Roads

Due to the Thanks Mom campaign it will be free to join the registry. To take part in it, you simply need to swab the inside of your cheek; no blood drawn at this time! Participation places your information on a registry as a potential marrow donor. For more information, please visit marrow.org. If you are unable to attend on Sunday a kit can be requested online just do it before 5/19 so it will be free.

If you are able to help out at the drive contact Karen Welch welch@twmi.rr.com

How can you help?

Hello Friends,

I get asked alot from friends like you "How can I help?" Well the answer is to become a Registered Bone Marrow Donor.

The Marrow Donation Program is running a special the next few weeks. The usual charge of $52 to join the registry will be waived due to the Thanks Mom campaign running May 5-19th.
Donors must be between the ages of 18-60.

Look to the left and you will see a link.

It is easy to become a donor and in 90% of all Bone Marrow Transplants the donor just has to give a pint of blood. So, if you have donated blood to the red cross it is basically the same thing!

We will keep posting Bone Marrow drives in the Detroit area for people to go to. Below are three that are friend Karen Welch has found:


LOCATIONS & DATES:
May 11 (8:30am-1:30 pm)- St, Aiden Catholic Church, 17500 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia. 734-425-5950
May 13 (2:00-8:00pm)- Antioch Lutheran Church, 33360 W. 13 Mile, Farmington Hills. 248-762-8480
May 18 (9:00am-2:00pm)- St. John NeumannChurch, 44800 Warren Rd., Canton. 734-455-7187


Thanks

Gary

Treatment 16, 17, & 18

Hello Friends,

We went to U of M on Monday and were there for 9 hours. No Fun! Nothing unusal they were just running slow.

We had a nice visit from our pastor, Dr. Miller, and enjoyed discussing many differnt items.

Tuesday and Wednesday were much quicker; we were in and out in 2 1/2 hours. I feel good and look forward to having another 25 days off.

I plan to attend Craig's track meet tonight and after I will probalby crash.

So far I have not experienced to much pain and hope to stay that way.

I would like to ask everyone to ask God to find a donor for me for a stem cell transplant. I know he will answer our prayers and just wanted everyone to realize that we are searching at this time.

Thanks for checking in,

Gary

Next Week

Hello Everyone,

During the last few weeks I have been living life. Sorry I haven't provided many updates to the blog but really there wasn't much to update.

My overall health is good and I am continuing my treatments next Monday!

We expect it to continue to improve my blood numbers which inturn should make me feel better.

On a lighter note, I was able to catch a Detroit Tigers game with Scotty and my neighbor, Dan and his son, Ryan the other night and we were treated to a slug fest! Tigers 19 Texas 6.

I will be updating the blog all next week so check back.

Thanks for checking in,

Gary

Become A Donor!

Hello Everyone,

Who wants to save another persons life?

The Test (Puts you on the National Donor Registry)

- Cheek Swab for tissue sample

The Donation (If you are ever asked to become a donor!)

- A pint of blood

That is all it takes!

Consider adding yourself to the donar registry! Who knows you might save a life!

Here is how you can get on the registry:

Step 1: Click the Link: http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/index.html
Step 2: Read and Learn
Step 3: Click the Join the Registry Link: http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Join_the_Donor_Registry/Join_Now/join_now.html

Unfortuately, at this time the process is not free it cost $52 to have your tissue sample tested and added to the registry.

The good news is your employer might cover the cost!

I hope everyone will consider adding yourself to registry.

You might save a life!

Thanks

Gary

Exclusive with Swivel Hips Latham

Hello Everyone,

Well, the past weekend was an exciting ride at the Latham house!

First, my wonderful wife attended Ann Moenings fund raiser for Leukemia, of which I am a poster boy! (website http://www.active.com/donate/hfdmi/hfdAMoenin) Ann and her friends put on a great evening raising money for Leukemia research and Tammy "Swivel Hips" Latham won the Hula-Hoop contest with a time of 4 min and 53 seconds. People familiar with the contest said she could have gone longer but all the competition had collapsed, needless-to-say she brought home a few prizes. Great Time was had by all!

Second, all the kids had games and events and just loved being outside on the first real nice weekend of spring.

Finally, I was sick as a dog on Saturday morning but felt much better in the afternoon and really enjoyed Sunday!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Thanks for checking in on the Blog!

Gary

Treatment 15 to a Cure!

Hello Everyone,

I completed treatment 15 on Wednesday and have been able to go to work so I got a bit behind on the blog.  

I do not feel good.  I have experienced a bit of nausea but luckily, it is beginning to pass.  I am about 85% with my energy but still have been able to go to work and get stuff done.

OK, now for the Good News!  The medicine seems to be working!  I can feel the changes taking place which is encouraging.

We have a very busy weekend with the kids, so, I hope I can keep my energy up.

Thanks for checking in,

Gary

Treatment 14 to a Cure!

Hello Everyone,

Treatment 14 is done; quickest yet. I feel good and was able to go to work during the afternoon.

Tammy has been by my side the whole time and keeping me happy.

Not much more to report. Keep checking in for more details.

Thanks

Gary